Written questions by Snowden.

Whether he is taking steps to provide financial support to British SMEs relocating manufacturing out of China to avoid newly introduced tariffs.

There are no current plans to support businesses with relocating their production out of China specifically. However, the Government-backed British Business Bank helps businesses to access the finance they need to invest and grow, including to relocate parts or all of their business. UK Export Finance can help SMEs win contracts by providing attractive financing terms to buyers, support working capital loans to take on and fulfil orders effectively, and make sure SMEs get paid by offering Government-backed insurance against buyer default.

Whether he plans to publish an impact assessment of the increase in most regulated fares on 2 March 2025 on (a) low-income commuters and (b) key workers who rely on rail travel.

The Government caps the amount by which regulated fares can increase each year. Regulated fares make up around 45% of rail fares and include commuter fares, such as season ticket and shorter-distance peak singles and returns, alongside longer-distance off-peak singles and returns. Whilst the fares increase cap applies to regulated fares only, train operators have typically adopted a very similar approach for non-regulated fares. Young people and students (as well as senior citizens, disabled people, veterans and other groups) are offered discounted rail fares from existing railcard schemes. Regarding the impact of fares increases on people in rural areas, low income commuters and key workers, any long-term changes to rail fares policy requires balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.

Whether her Department plans to (a) cap rail fares and (b) provide targeted concessions to (i) young people, (ii) students, and (iii) people in rural areas disproportionately affected by fare rises.

The Government caps the amount by which regulated fares can increase each year. Regulated fares make up around 45% of rail fares and include commuter fares, such as season ticket and shorter-distance peak singles and returns, alongside longer-distance off-peak singles and returns. Whilst the fares increase cap applies to regulated fares only, train operators have typically adopted a very similar approach for non-regulated fares. Young people and students (as well as senior citizens, disabled people, veterans and other groups) are offered discounted rail fares from existing railcard schemes. Regarding the impact of fares increases on people in rural areas, low income commuters and key workers, any long-term changes to rail fares policy requires balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.

What steps he is taking to ensure that the transition to clean power does not increase levels of (a) energy poverty and (b) regional inequalities.

The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. This, combined with our Warm Homes Plan to upgrade millions of homes to make them warmer and cheaper to run is how we will drive down energy bills and make cold homes a thing of the past. Alongside the Warm Homes Plan we are developing an updated fuel poverty strategy for England, which aims to accelerate progress to alleviate fuel poverty across all regions this decade. This recognises that we need to support households struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power by 2030. This is why we delivered the £150 Warm Home Discount to around 3 million eligible low-income households last winter. In February, we published a consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount which would bring around 2.7 million households into the scheme, pushing the total number of eligible households up to 6 million.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of (a) resources and (b) personnel required by Ofcom to protect users of online platforms from content promoting gang violence.

The Online Safety Act gives user-to-user platforms and search services duties to take steps to protect all users from illegal content and children from harmful or age-inappropriate content. This includes duties to take down illegal content which provokes violence, and to protect children from content which encourages or promotes violence.The Government has ensured Ofcom has the funding it needs to deliver online safety regulation effectively, with £72.6 million allocated for online safety spend in 2025/26. This is an increase from last year and means that Ofcom is increasing its personnel year on year.

What steps his Department is taking to (a) automatically enroll eligible households on and (b) inform eligible households about the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme uses data matching between the Government and energy suppliers to provide rebates automatically to the majority of eligible households (around 95%). These households will receive a letter informing them of their eligibility automatically with no further action required. Where it is not clear from the data-matching process if a household is eligible for a rebate, for instance where we have not been able to match them with a participating energy supplier or certain Government-held data on property characteristics is missing, they are sent a letter explaining that they may contact a helpline to check their eligibility. For more information on the Warm Home Discount and eligibility for the scheme, please visit GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.

Innovation and Technology, what digital (a) inclusion and (b) skills training initiatives his Department is supporting in (i) Lancashire and (ii) areas in Lancashire which have recently acquired gigabit-capable broadband.

The Government published its Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February 2025, which outlines the first five actions we are taking over the next year to boost digital inclusion in every corner of the UK, including Lancashire.These will be targeted at local initiatives for boosting digital skills and confidence, widening access to devices and connectivity, and getting support to people in their own communities so everyone can reap the benefits of technology. This includes supporting digital upskilling, and enhancing support for the Essential Digital Skills framework, which supports businesses and individuals to get the digital skills they need.

If she will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the guidance entitled EAPC standards and legal requirements, published on 10 December 2024, in relation to preventing the sale of illegally modified electric bikes.

The Department believes that there is no need for such an assessment. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) market surveillance unit inspects vehicles, trailers and equipment to ensure they meet safety and environmental standards. This includes surveillance of the market for Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs). The DVSA is empowered to take enforcement action against retailers selling non-compliant EAPCs, including electric bikes which have been modified and not meeting regulatory standards.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that nuclear energy contributes to the resilience of the UK’s energy supply.

The Clean Power 2030 Action Plan makes clear that nuclear will play an important role in our future energy system, providing low-carbon, baseload power to the grid. Sizewell C continues to make good progress, while Great British Nuclear is driving forward its Small Modular Reactor competition, with final decisions to be taken shortly. The Nuclear Regulatory Task Force set up by the Prime Minister is working to identify reforms to better enable speedier, safe deployment of nuclear technology.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help increase the reporting of waste crime in rural communities.

Local authorities in England are required to report fly-tipping incidents and enforcement actions to Defra, which are published annually at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england, this data excludes the majority of private-land incidents. We continue to work with stakeholders, such as the National Farmers Union and local authorities, through the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group to share good practice, including how to prevent fly-tipping on private land. Suspected illegal waste activity can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers through their dedicated website https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously or by calling 0800 555 111. Alternatively, the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline is available on 0800 80 70 60 and fly-tipping can be reported here https://www.gov.uk/report-flytipping.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) targeted relief and (b) export support for the (i) creative and (ii) publishing industries affected by changes to international trade policy.

My department has a dedicated exports promotion programme for the creative industries to grow their exports. We will continue to use trade and economic partnership agreements to reduce trade barriers for creative industries businesses.

What steps he is taking to help UK exporters mitigate the potential impact proposed US tariffs on (a) consumer electronics and (b) agricultural goods.

On 8 May, we concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal and we will continue our extensive engagement with businesses from across the UK throughout these remaining negotiations. We continue to support UK businesses, including those that sell consumer electronics and agricultural goods, to grow and export around the world and to the US. Businesses can access export support via great.gov.uk such as the Export Academy, International Markets Network, Growth Hubs and Help to Grow: Management scheme.

Whether she has had discussions with her US counterpart on (a) tax exemptions and (b) relief measures for UK-based SMEs that rely on Chinese manufacturing.

The Chancellor regularly speaks with her counterpart, the US Treasury Secretary.This government will continue to act in Britain’s national interest – for workers, for businesses and for families.The Chancellor welcomes areas of collaboration such as the recently announced UK-US economic deal of 8 May.The agreement of 8 May is the first step towards a legally binding Economic Prosperity Deal with the US which will look at increasing digital trade, enhancing access for our world-leading services industries, and improving supply chains.

With reference to the White Paper entitled Get Britain Working, published 26 November 2024, what metrics her Department is using to measure progress in increasing employment among (a) disabled people and (b) people with health conditions.

The Government has a clear ambition to raise the employment rate to 80% and has published a set of key indicators that it will monitor closely as it carries out this work. These will build on aims set out in the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change and the Get Britain Working White Paper and recognise that there are many components of a sustained improvement to the workforce. These indicators include the disability employment gap and the health-related economic inactivity rate. DWP will shortly be publishing an update on progress in delivering the reforms outlined in the Get Britain Working White Paper over the last six months. The disability employment gap is the difference between the employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people aged 18 to 66. Disability is measured using the Government Statistical Service (GSS) Harmonised Standard definition which classes as disabled, anyone who reports a physical or mental health condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, 12 months that reduces their ability to carry out day-to-day activities. The health-related economic inactivity rate is the number of people aged 18 to 66 who are economically inactive and give long-term sickness as the main reason (most of which will also be classed as disabled) divided by the 18 to 66 population.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 20 May 2025 to Question 51546 on Broadband: Lancashire, what steps he is taking to ensure that the remaining (a) homes and (b) businesses in (i) Fylde and (ii) the rest of Lancashire will be connected by the end of the rollout.

As part of Project Gigabit, Openreach is currently delivering a contract to bring gigabit-capable broadband to homes and businesses in Lancashire that are not expected to be reached via the commercial market, including in Fylde. This contract is due to run until 2030.For any premises that cannot be connected via this contract, and remain outside of commercial plans, the government is exploring options for where support might be required to accelerate the deployment of appropriate technologies, including fixed wireless access.

Innovation and Technology, how much funding had been (a) allocated in total, (b) spent on and (c) forecast for the Project Gigabit contract in Lancashire on 30 May 2025.

Openreach is delivering a £149.7 million contract to bring gigabit-capable broadband to 54,300 premises in Lancashire, North Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire, West and Mid Surrey, Staffordshire, West Berkshire and Hertfordshire. This funding is allocated to all areas listed in this contract and is not explicitly allocated at a regional or constituency level.Openreach has only recently started its build in Lancashire under this contract, so no funding has yet been paid to the supplier for its work there.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 6 May 2025 to Question 50256 on Farms: Lancashire, whether his Department plans to consult (a) farmers and (b) industry stakeholders on the reformed Sustainable Farming Incentive before announcing further details.

Defra is working closely with farmers and industry stakeholders to design a future SFI offer that fairly and responsibly directs funding. Further details about the reformed SFI offer will be announced following the spending review in summer 2025.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that emergency response teams are adequately (a) trained and (b) equipped to respond to road traffic incidents in (i) Fylde constituency and (ii) Lancashire.

The development and maintenance of police driving-related curricula and supporting resources is the responsibility of the College of Policing, with support from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Police Driving Lead.Decisions on the allocation of equipment used to respond to road traffic incidents is an operational matter for Lancashire Constabulary.

What steps her Department is taking to protect people living in Fylde constituency from cryptocurrency scams.

The Government takes the issue of fraud very seriously and is developing a new and expanded fraud strategy to further protect the public and businesses from this appalling crime. Relevant cryptoasset firms are already subject to UK financial promotions requirements, and required to register with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for money laundering supervision. Building on this, the Government is introducing a comprehensive financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets this year. The new regime will provide further protections for UK consumers, by requiring firms offering them services to be authorised and regulated by the FCA.

Communities and Local Government, what plans she has to increase community involvement in the planning process in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 46945 on 30 April 2025.